OUTRAGED residents are demanding Ealing Council repairs the damage after workmen hacked down trees close to an area of natural beauty.

Neighbours say Horsenden Lane North, North Greenford, used to resemble a country road but now looks barren with nothing to shield Horsenden Hill from the traffic.

They are angry they were not consulted and about 100 have signed a petition calling on the council to replant the trees.

Claire Ellicott, of nearby Elton Avenue, organised the petition and has set up a Facebook Group called Protect Horsenden Hill.

The 25-year-old said: "The mud banks and tree stumps look an absolute mess. Everyone around here is really, really upset, it's meant to be an area of natural beauty."

The council admit no consultation was held but said it was an urgent matter of health and safety. The majority of the trees are English elms and many had become infected with Dutch Elm Disease.

Council leader Jason Stacey pointed out the healthy trees will grow back and more will be planted. He said they had to be cut down to stop the spread of the disease and to prevent those that die off falling into the road.

He added: "I understand people's concerns as we all love our trees in the borough. "But I hope people understand that by taking this action we can preserve these trees in the longer term. Had we not done it now we would have lost these trees forever."

But many residents are skeptical that so many had to be cut down and do not believe they hung over the road enough to cause a danger.

Frank Kilduff, chairman of the North Greenford Resident's Association said lessons needed to be learned.

He said: "The rangers admit that the work should've been subject to consultation and have taken that on board for the future.

"We want to see the replanting done as soon as possible and any future replanting should be done in a phased way.

"It's our hill as local residents so we should be more involved in these decisions."

Ealing North MP Steve Pound also threw his weight behind the campaign, he said: "Horsenden Lane South was a beautiful and tranquil country lane in the heart of Ealing. Now it looks like a battle has been fought there.

"There can be no justification for this brutality by Ealing Council; though they will probably try to hide behind the threadbare cloak of health and safety.

"A promise to immediately replant as well as a proper apology is the only acceptable action.

"Ealing should stump up the money now."

The petition was handed to deputy council leader Ian Gibb on Tuesday. He will present it at the next council meeting.